An Example to Follow | Resolve Week 2

On the eve of facing the cross, Jesus took special time to kneel and wash the feet of his disciples. He did this to set a powerful example for how we are to seek to serve those around us, all those around us. Joe Scruggs continues our Resolve series by encouraging us to follow this example.

An Example to Follow

Resolve | Week 2

March 18, 2018 | Joe Scruggs

Luke 9:22 (NIV)

The Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

Luke 9:51 (NIV)

Jesus set out resolutely toward Jerusalem.

John 13:1-3 (NLT)

Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end. It was time for supper, and the devil had already prompted Judas, son of Simon Iscariot, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God.

John 13:4-5 (NLT)

So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel he had around him.

John 13:6-11 (NLT)

When Jesus came to Simon Peter, Peter said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You don’t understand now what I am doing, but someday you will.” “No,” Peter protested, “you will never ever wash my feet!” Jesus replied, “Unless I wash you, you won’t belong to me.” Simon Peter exclaimed, “Then wash my hands and head as well, Lord, not just my feet!” Jesus replied, “A person who has bathed all over does not need to wash, except for the feet, to be entirely clean. And you disciples are clean, but not all of you.” For Jesus knew who would betray him. That is what he meant when he said, “Not all of you are clean.”

Show the Nature of God.

John 13:12-15 (NLT)

After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. I have given you an example to follow.

Types of Jobs We Might Face

Might Involve True Humility

Might Involve Obscurity

We don’t get to choose the people that need to be served.

It might simply be a hassle, an interruption.

Where do we start?

Acts 1:8 (NLT)

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all of Judea, and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.

Serving often calls for much Wisdom and Discernment

Philippians 1:9-11 (PHILLIPS)

My prayer for you is that you may have still more love—a love that is full of knowledge and wise insight. I want you to be able always to recognize the highest and the best, and to live sincere and blameless lives until the day of Jesus Christ. I want to see your lives full of true goodness, produced by the power that Jesus Christ gives you to the praise and glory of God.

John 13:17 (NLT)

Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them